"What did you just say?" Sophie asked me, while the other four stared at me with their mouths wide open like the Grand Canyon.

I sighed. This would be the fifth time I would repeat my words. Either they were messing with me, or they thought I was messing with them. They'd been under such a firm belief that they would never get to work anymore, which was pretty heartbreaking for me. No one should have to feel this way while they're still a part of their company.

"I know what you're thinking, but, this isn't a joke. I've talked to Mr. Beaumont, and he has agreed to give you a last chance. I've even picked out the theme, and designed some pieces for it. Would you want to take a look?"

Maria slowly blinked, while Martin's poker face morphed into a slight smile. Even the twins didn't have that annoyingly passive expression on their faces. Everyone was paying attention. Everyone was excited. Everyone but Sophie.

"I'm sorry dear, but even though you share the same hometown as our boss, there's no way he would listen to you. You've just entered, so you have no idea about our past. All the embarrassment both my team and my company had to go through, you know nothing of it.

"Its something only me and my team knows. And, I'll appreciate it if you just left us alone. If your boss listens to you so well, then maybe ask him to transfer you to another department."

She stormed off, leaving all of us speechless. Maria had her head down, while Martin looked the same as ever. The twins were confused, just like me.

"Maria, I don't understand. What went wrong? Have you all given up so badly, that nobody can convince you to work again? Is that it?" I asked her, but she merely shook her head.

"Liz dear, you have no idea of what Sophie went through two years ago. We both too suffered along with her, and two others left, but she's the one who went through the most. Of course, she won't be all happy about this. After being pushed to the very back for so long, it's become harder for her to trust anyone anymore. I hope you understand her, and don't take her harsh words to heart."

I looked at her. "I know, Maria. Even though I'm not aware of what exactly happened, what I'm aware of is that Mr. Beaumont is ready to give you a chance to come forward once again. Weren't you all waiting for this opportunity to come? Isn't that why all three of you are still here?"

Both Maria and Martin were speechless, staring at me without saying a word. I sighed, sensing a headache forming in my frontal lobe. I just couldn't understand why was Sophie being so emotional about it? This clearly wasn't the time for her to lash out at people and lose this golden chance that somehow came to her.

Just what was she thinking?

I excused myself from the table, and left the section. Taking the elevator, I pressed the tenth floor on the panel. Once the elevator reopened with a ping, I dragged my feet towards the break room, which had various snacks and coffee.

Coffee was the only one who could comfort me after anything bad happened to me. One sip of that bitter goodness, and my worries dissipated into thin air. But, who knew the reason of my headache would be sitting in that room?

As soon as I entered the break room, my eyes locked with teary brown eyes of Sophie. Immediately, my heart melted, but I didn't show it. Or if I had to rephrase it correctly, I couldn't show it. Being sentimental wasn't one of my best qualities.

Awkwardness filled the air, as we both registered each other's presence, and Sophie started to hurriedly wipe her tears. Sighing, I picked up a tissue from the table and walked over to her. Sitting down in the chair across from her, I passed the tissue to her.

She accepted the tissue, blowing her nose into it. While she was busy with herself, I studied her a bit. Even though she had the sharpness of a knife in her tongue, she was extremely sensitive beneath. If I had to convince her to reclaim her name, I'd have to be gentle about it.

"You were right," I started after a moment. "I know nothing of your past, or your suffering. Thus, I might not have the right to comment about it, but, I do have the right to coaxe you into creating a shining future for yourself. As your teammate, I believe I possess that right. And, as your teammate, let me tell you something."

Sophie looked at me, unblinking. Her undivided attention was on me.

"No matter how harsh I might sound, but this isn't the time to dwell on the past. This also isn't the time to be emotional and resentful, our boss won't have much patience for it. This is the time to grab the bull by the horns."

Sophie blinked back at me, but I could see the gears turning in her head. She had started to contemplate it.

"The least that could happen, is that you will fail. But, if you don't, this can be your chance to get back at that rude woman whose mission in life is to mock at you guys on a daily basis. Don't you feel even an iota of ire when she does that?" I pressed, knowing that this was the right time to strike further.

Inciting people might be a bad deed, but if it encourages someone to come out of their shell, I was more than ready to use such a sleazy tactic. Right now, Sophie was in need of something intense to wake her up from her slumber.

"She's the whole reason behind all this, how could I ever forgive her?" Sophie mumbled, which confused me even more.

"What.... are you referencing to?" I asked her, my gut telling me something was very wrong here.

But, I couldn't get an answer out of her. "Its nothing, dear. But, you're right. I do feel angry about it. So much that I lose all reason whenever I look at her face. Maybe that's why I want to stay hidden where I am. I don't ever want to face her again, and lying low is the best way to do so."

A moment passed in silence, where I let Sophie have a moment in her head. It was a crucial decision, so I'm sure she would need to think about it.

Finally, she lifted her head, and in an instant, I knew it. I came to know her decision, as it was written all over her face. This woman was both easy, and difficult to read. It was such an interesting combination.

"If you say so, I'll give myself one more try. But, I will have to meet Mr. Beaumont myself. Once he gives me this opportunity himself, I'll start working on it." She spoke with utmost confidence, sparking an ember of happiness and pride inside me.

"And Liz," She continued. "Thanks a lot for being so upfront with me. Sometimes people need to be slapped with the harsh reality to come back to their senses. So, thanks a lot for doing that, instead of trying to baby me with sweet comforting words."

I smiled a real smile at her comment. "Well, that's a tactic which always works. But, you're welcome. I really hope to seeing you putting your best foot forward this time. Good luck, Sophie Sanders."

As I entered the elevator without a coffee in hand, but free from that headache, I smiled to myself.

One obstacle down. Two more to go.

My work and mama, both of them had been taken care of, but, the connecting link between them was still missing. I had to marry André Beaumont in order to keep receiving such VIP treatment, without him, I wouldn't have any of this.

But, he was the hardest obstacle I'd ever met in my life. I wonder what would suffice in front of him.

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